2023 CHANGES IN MEDICARE
FROM: aarp.org/health/medicare-insurance/info-/medicare-changes-in-2023
Medicare is making some of the biggest changes ever in 2023, with over 65 million Americans paying lower premiums and deductibles, and legislation bringing down the price of prescriptions drugs.
Listed Below are Summaries of the Biggest Medicare Coming in 2023:
- LOWER PART B PREMIUMS
For many, Part B benefits are deducted directly from social security monthly benefits. With social security raises of 8.7% in 2023, the net result is “money in your pocket”.
- LOWER PART B DEDUCTIBLES
In 2023 Part B deductibles are reduced by $7.00 from 2022.
- PART A COST INCREASE
Most Medicare enrollees do not pay a monthly premium for Part A, which covers hospital inpatient stays, skilled nursing, hospice, and some in-home health care. In 2023 the charge for hospital stay will rise $44.00 to $1,600 per stay.
- INSULIN CO-PAY CAPPED
Because of 2022 legislation, beginning in 2023 the co-pays for a 30-day supply of insulin
co-pays will be capped at $35.00
- FREE VACCINES
In 2023 all vaccines recommended by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention Advisory Committee will be free to all Medicare enrollees. This applies to shots for flu, pneumonia, and COVID-19. Some enrollees may even get hepatitis shots and injuries as a result of being exposed to a disease, covered under Part B.
- DRUG PRICE NEGOTIATIONS
By September 1, 2023, Medicare announced the first 10 drugs identified as price negotiation drugs. Medicare will for the-very-first-time, negotiate those 10 medication prices with drug companies. Medicare’s goal is to continually add new drugs to the list.
- TELEHEALTH CHANGES
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Medicare has been relaxed on some of the rules regarding the availability of Telehealth. However, once the “Emergency Declaration” is lifted, telehealth is only covered under 151 days, under the altered regulations. The only area that will remain under those regulations will be behavioral health.
- INCREASES EMPHASIS ON BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
Medicare will be paying licensed clinical social workers, psychologists and other behavioral health specialists to be part of the beneficiary’s primary care visit, as part the new focus on the whole person.
- DENTAL ACCESS
In 2023, Medicare will expand the dental procedures that are deemed “medically necessary” procedures that are linked to the improvement of some medical procedures. It would include cleaning and/or dealing with oral infections, for organ transplants, or cancer treatments.
- IMPROVED ENROLLMENT ACCESS
As of January 1, 2023, as long as a person is eligible for Medicare enrollment during the enrollment periods, they will no longer have to wait for the new coverages to kick in.
This is just a very brief summarization of the changes in Medicare for 2023. I would strongly suggest that you go to aarp.org/health/medicare-insurance/info-23/medical-changes-in-2023, to get all the information, some of which may be critical to your personal situation. Another suggestion is to set an appointment with your Medicare provider to talk about the changes for 2023.
